Sen. Jehlen Pushes for Paid Sick Days
State House Hearing October 7 on Paid Sick Days Bill
The following is an announcement from State Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville, Medford)
Legislation to provide paid sick leave to workers in Massachusetts will receive a public hearing on October 7th. This important bill is a vital tool in the effort to help control infectious diseases like the H1N1 virus.
An Act Establishing Paid Sick Days which would ensure that all Massachusetts workers can accrue up to seven paid sick days annually to take care of their own health needs and those of family members. Sick days can also be used by victims of domestic violence for their medical, psychological and legal needs. Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) and Representative Kay Khan (D-Newton) are the lead sponsors of the legislation, S.688/H.1815.
Employers who provide no sick days encourage workers to come to work sick, spreading contagious illnesses. Forty percent of workers report catching the flu from a fellow employee – effecting productivity of businesses, and increasing health care costs.
The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will hear testimony from:
* Workers from 1199 and UniteHere
* Businessman Rob Everts, Executive Director Equal Exchange
* Senator Patricia Jehlen
* Representative Kay Khan
* Jonathan Heller, Ph.D., Human Impact Partners
* Barbara Ferrer, Executive Director Boston Public Health Commission
* Robert Haynes, President MA AFL-CIO
* Mike Fadel, President 1199 SEIU
* Rocio Saenz, President SEIU 615
* Andi Mullen, Political Director, Mass Nurses
The hearing is Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 10:30AM in Room A2 of the State House.
Prior to the hearing at 9:30 at the State House Grand Staircase The Massachusetts Paid Leave Coalition will release a new health report on paid sick days by Human Impact Partners (HIP). The report will analyze the health impacts of the lack of paid sick days for the more than 1.4 million workers in Massachusetts who lack even a single day of paid sick days. The report is especially timely as businesses, schools, and families attempt to prepare for H1N1.
Speakers include:
* Bob Haynes, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO,
* Philip Johnston, Chair, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation,
* Dr. Jonathan Heller, Health Impact Partners, author of study
* Dr. Anita Barry, Boston Public Health Commission.